A Rev. Charles Reynolds, who wrote to Blood on the 7th and the 10th of September, had raised some $600-$700 in relief money and contacted Powell to ask him to purchase and ship some "winter wheat" to Kansas Territory. Writing from his home in Springfield, Powell indicated that he would do so "with pleasure" but the "best winter wheat" had just been sold. He intended to locate a good supply and ship it by railroad as soon as possible.